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swtlilsoni wrote: 4) I could talk about how when I was on the debate team, I chose a really controversial topic for my debate (making abortion 100% illegal in all scenarios). My teammates, and everyone else strongly discouraged me. One of the top debaters came and told me that he chose the topic of making abortion illegal in CERTAIN scenarios and he still lost. But I did it anyway and ended up not only winning, but getting best speaker.

swtlilsoni wrote:1) I could write about how I went to a large state school and didn't like the big school env, I wanted a smaller school env so I went to study abroad. I went to a really small college abroad and it was a totally diff experience.
Seems OK. If you are going to do this, you need to focus on the diversity angle, and how your perspective changed. Make sure there is a lot of YOU in the essay, as opposed to lengthy descriptions of places and other people.
2) I could write about how when I studied abroad, for the first time I was completely surrounded by arts majors who were really into literature, music, etc. Most of the people I knew before that were not into that stuff, and that cultured. And I really admired them all and it inspired me and thats when I became interested in that type of stuff.
What does this have to do with law school? Law school has nothing to do with art, except for copyrighting it so you can make money off it.
3) I could tie the first two together. Wanted a small school env, went to study abroad, met artsy people, inspired.
Since I think #2 is odd, I'm gonna say no here too.
4) I could talk about how when I was on the debate team, I chose a really controversial topic for my debate (making abortion 100% illegal in all scenarios). My teammates, and everyone else strongly discouraged me. One of the top debaters came and told me that he chose the topic of making abortion illegal in CERTAIN scenarios and he still lost. But I did it anyway and ended up not only winning, but getting best speaker.
My political views make me unable to view this one objectively.

Bildungsroman wrote:

swtlilsoni wrote: 4) I could talk about how when I was on the debate team, I chose a really controversial topic for my debate (making abortion 100% illegal in all scenarios). My teammates, and everyone else strongly discouraged me. One of the top debaters came and told me that he chose the topic of making abortion illegal in CERTAIN scenarios and he still lost. But I did it anyway and ended up not only winning, but getting best speaker.

This risks being both a "good at arguing" PS and a "controversial issue" PS, both of which being qualities that I would personally avoid.

bk187 wrote:

Bildungsroman wrote:

swtlilsoni wrote: 4) I could talk about how when I was on the debate team, I chose a really controversial topic for my debate (making abortion 100% illegal in all scenarios). My teammates, and everyone else strongly discouraged me. One of the top debaters came and told me that he chose the topic of making abortion illegal in CERTAIN scenarios and he still lost. But I did it anyway and ended up not only winning, but getting best speaker.

This risks being both a "good at arguing" PS and a "controversial issue" PS, both of which being qualities that I would personally avoid.

Agreed.

All these topics sound poor.

daesonesb wrote:I don't think there is anything wrong with the first one. My PS was about attending boys state in highschool, and how my interest in working in the government/policy making realm developed. Generic PS wont hurt you for most schools...

That said, all the topics ARE generic, except the kind of dicky abortion one. Like I said, it wont hurt if you have good writing mechanics... but its not going to help your cause either. Kind of like a resume with no WE but a few good volunteering softs.